Reinforced umbrella frame

ABSTRACT

A rib assembly of reinforced umbrella frame comprises a plurality of latches each including a first connecting piece having a channel member and a second connecting piece having two parallel channels wherein channel member is aligned with one channel; a plurality of first ribs each inserted through and secured to the channel member and the aligned channel; and a plurality of second ribs each inserted through and secured to the other channel. The stretcher assembly includes a plurality of yokes each being pivotably coupled in a groove of the latch. The umbrella is more compact in a storage state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to umbrella frame and more particularly to a reinforced umbrella frame being easy in assembly and more compact in a storage state.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] It can be understood that strength of frame is critical to the useful life of an umbrella. This is because umbrellas are designed to withstand sudden rain and/or strong wind in a use state. It is frequently found that umbrella is deformed or malfunctioned after a short period of time of use (i.e., opening and closing umbrella). Thus, a reinforced umbrella frame is desired by consumers.

[0005] Various reinforced umbrella frames have been designed to obtain the advantages of prolonged useful life and so on. For example, such a reinforced umbrella frame is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The frame comprises a shank 80, a plurality of ribs 81, a plurality of stretchers 82, and a plurality of auxiliary link of stretchers 83 both equal in number to ribs 81. Stretcher 82 is pivotably coupled to about center of rib 81. An upper ring 84 and a lower ring 85 are slidably sleeved on shank 80. Upper ring 84 is pivotably coupled to lower ends of stretchers 82. Auxiliary link 83 is coupled between stretcher 82 and lower ring 85. A first latch 86 is provided on rib 81. First latch 86 comprises two parallel tubes 87 with a pair of ribs 81 passed therethrough and a projection member 88 perpendicular to tubes 87. A second latch 89 is provided on top of stretcher 82. Second latch 89 comprises a pair of arms 90 spaced sufficiently (i.e., slightly larger than the width of projection member 88) to receive the projection member 88 therebetween. Also, projection member 88 and arms 90 are pivotalby coupled together by riveting. This completes the coupling of ribs 81 and stretchers 82.

[0006] However, the prior art suffered from several disadvantages. For example, the main support of umbrella frame relies on first latches 86 each having two tubes 87 with ribs 81 passed therethrough for reinforcement. But such arrangement increases both the length from arm 90 to the other and the width of projection member 88 as well as their total size. Thus, a compact storage of collapsed umbrella is made impossible. This is best illustrated by a distance A measured from open end of rib 81 to shank 80. This may consume precious storage space. Further, the coupling of projection member 88 and arms 90 is done by a riveting machine. It is readily understood that the alignment of involved components and riveting process are tedious and time consuming. Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved umbrella frame in order to overcome the above drawbacks of prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a reinforced umbrella frame which is advantageous for being more compact in a storage state.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a reinforced umbrella frame which is advantageous for being easy in assembly, time and cost saving, high yield, and thus competitive in the market.

[0009] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a frame of an umbrella comprising a shank including a stationary hub secured at its upper end, an upper ring, and a lower ring both slidably mounted thereon; a rib assembly including a plurality of latches, a plurality of first ribs, and a plurality of second ribs all equal in number wherein the latch has a first connecting piece, a second connecting piece, a seat coupled the connecting pieces together, and a recess between the connecting pieces, the first connecting piece has a channel member, the second connecting piece has a first channel aligned with the channel member and a second channel parallel with the first channel, the seat has a groove with a top open to the recess, the first rib is inserted through and secured to the channel member and the first channel, the second rib is inserted through and secured to the second channel, and top ends of the first and the second ribs are coupled to the hub; and a stretcher assembly including a plurality of yokes, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of end pieces all equal in number to the ribs wherein the yoke comprises a shaft extended therein being pivotably coupled in the groove and the end piece is interconnected between the upper ring and the yoke.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the seat is extended from underside of the first connecting piece to that of the second connecting piece with a width of the seat the same as that of the first connecting piece so that the width of the seat can be reduced significantly. Hence, the total width of the assembled latch and yoke is reduced to a minimum, thereby effecting a compact storage of the collapsed umbrella.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, in assembly first insert the first connecting piece through the space. Next, mount the shaft on the groove so that the yoke is pivotal about the latch. Then the first rib is inserted through the channel member and the first channel. This forms a stop for preventing the shaft from moving out of the groove in the recess.

[0012] In still another aspect of the present invention, the stretcher comprises a sleeve having a bottom hole, further comprising a plurality of links each coupled between the lower ring and the bottom hole of the sleeve.

[0013] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a portion of a reinforced umbrella frame according to the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of assembled frame of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the connection of latch and yoke;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating phases of the assembly of latch, yoke and rib;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the assembled latch, yoke and rib in a collapsed position of frame;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a side view showing the collapsed frame according to the invention;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the connection first and second latches of a conventional umbrella frame; and

[0021]FIG. 8 is a side view of the conventional umbrella frame in a collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown an umbrella with reinforced frame in accordance with the invention. The frame comprises a shank 10, a rib assembly 20, and a stretcher assembly 30. Shank 10 comprises a stationary hub 11 secured at its upper end, an upper ring 12, a lower ring 13 both slidably mounted thereon, and a spring 14 biased between upper and lower rings 12 and 13. Rib assembly 20 comprises a plurality of latches 21, a plurality of first rib 22, and a plurality of second ribs 23 all equal in number. Latch 21 comprises a first connecting piece 24, a second connecting piece 25 having a width larger than that of first connecting piece 24, a seat 26 coupled connecting pieces 24 and 25 together, and a recess 27 between connecting pieces 24 and 25. First connecting piece 24 has a channel member 241 and a slope 242 extended to recess 27. Second connecting piece 25 has a first channel 251 aligned with channel member 241 and a second channel 252 parallel with first channel 251. Seat 26 is extended from underside of first connecting piece 24 to that of second connecting piece 25 wherein the width of seat 26 is the same as that of first connecting piece 24. Seat 26 has a groove 261 with top open to recess 27. First rib 22 is inserted through channel member 241 and first channel 251. Also, secure first rib 22 in latch 21 by means of adhesive. Similarly, second rib 23 is inserted through second channel 252. Also, secure second rib 23 in latch 21 by means of adhesive. It is readily understood that top ends of ribs 22 and 23 are coupled to hub 11.

[0023] Stretcher assembly 30 comprises a plurality of yokes 31 and a plurality of stretchers 32 both equal in number to ribs 20. Yoke 31 comprises two spaced arms 311, a space 313 between arms 311, and a cylindrical shaft 312 extended across the space 313. The length of shaft 312 is slightly larger than the width of seat 26. Yoke 31 further comprises a socket 314 on the end opposite to that of arms 311 for receiving one end of stretcher 32. Stretcher 32 comprises an end piece 321 having a tab 323 pivotably coupled to upper ring 12 and a sleeve 322 having a bottom hole 324 so that one of a plurality of links 33 can be coupled between lower ring 13 and sleeve 322 (i.e., a hooked end of link 33 is fastened to hole 324). Also, end piece 321 and sleeve 322 are secured to stretcher 32 by means of adhesive.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the assembly of latch 21, yoke 31 and ribs 22 and 23 will now be described below. First, insert first connecting piece 24 through space 313. Next, mount shaft 312 on groove 261 by passing through slope 242 and recess 27. This finishes the assembly of latch 21 and yoke 31 wherein yoke 31 is pivotal about latch 21. Also, as stated above, first rib 22 is inserted through channel member 241 and first channel 251. This forms a stop for preventing shaft 312 from moving out of groove 261 in recess 27. Since seat 26 is extended from underside of first connecting piece 24 to that of second connecting piece 25 with the width of seat 26 the same as that of first connecting piece 24 so that the width of seat 26 can be reduced significantly. Hence, the total width of the assembled latch 21 and yoke 31 is reduced to a minimum, thus eliminating a projected, unsightly joint of rib and stretcher.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, the ability of umbrella frame to withstand rain and/or strong wind is enhanced with the dual provision of first and second ribs 22 and 23. Further, a compact storage of collapsed umbrella is made possible since a distance B measured from open end of first rib 22 to shank 10 is much smaller than that of prior art. As a result, it can consume less precious storage space in a collapsed position.

[0026] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A frame of an umbrella comprising: a shank including a stationary hub secured at upper end thereof, an upper ring, and a lower ring both slidably mounted thereon; a rib assembly including a plurality of latches, a plurality of first ribs, and a plurality of second ribs all equal in number wherein the latch has a first connecting piece, a second connecting piece, a seat coupled the connecting pieces together, and a recess between the connecting pieces, the first connecting piece has a channel member, the second connecting piece has a first channel aligned with the channel member and a second channel parallel with the first channel, the seat has a groove with a top open to the recess, the first rib is inserted through and secured to the channel member and the first channel, the second rib is inserted through and secured to the second channel, and top ends of the first and the second ribs are coupled to the hub; and a stretcher assembly including a plurality of yokes, a plurality of stretchers, and a plurality of end pieces all equal in number to the ribs wherein the yoke comprises a shaft extended therein being pivotably coupled in the groove and the end piece is interconnected between the upper ring and the yoke.
 2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first connecting piece further comprises a slope extended to the recess.
 3. The frame of claim 1, wherein the yoke further comprises a space with the shaft extended thereacross so that the first connecting piece is operable to insert through the space prior to mounting the shaft on the groove.
 4. The frame of claim 1, wherein the yoke further comprises a socket on one end opposite to the shaft for receiving one end of the stretcher.
 5. The frame of claim 1, wherein the stretcher comprises a sleeve having a bottom hole, further comprising a plurality of links each coupled between the lower ring and the bottom hole of the sleeve.
 6. A rib assembly of an umbrella frame comprising a plurality of latches each including a first connecting piece having a channel member and a second connecting piece having a plurality of channels wherein channel member is aligned with a first one of the channels; a plurality of first ribs equal in number to the latches, each first rib being inserted through and secured to the channel member and the aligned channel; and a plurality of second ribs equal in number to the latches, each second rib being inserted through and secured to a second one of the channels.
 7. The frame of claim 6, wherein the latch further comprises a recess and a groove open to the recess.
 8. The frame of claim 6, further comprising a yoke pivotal about the groove.
 9. The frame of claim 8, wherein the yoke comprises a shaft extended therein being pivotably coupled in the groove.
 10. The frame of claim 7, further comprising a slope extended to the recess.
 11. The frame of claim 8, wherein the yoke further comprises a space so that the latch is operable to insert through the space prior to mounting the shaft on the groove.
 12. The frame of claim 8, wherein the yoke further comprises a socket on one end opposite to the shaft for receiving one end of the stretcher. 